New in the ILC - ANZAC Day reading

Dreaming the Enemy by David Metzenthen

I am still moving despite the fact that this dreamed-up bastard Khan walks with me - no, he doesn't walk with me, he rises up to fire, has my life in his hands, my head in his sights, and that is the image of all images that I have somehow to lose...

Johnny Shoebridge has just returned from fighting in the jungles of Vietnam. He no longer carries a weapon - only photos of the dead and a dread of the living...Pursued by a Viet Cong ghost-fighter called Khan, Johnny makes one last stand - knowing that if he cannot lay this spectre to rest, he will remain a prisoner of war for ever.
Drawing on courage, loyalty and love, Johnny tries to find a way back from the nightmare of war to a sense of hope for the future. A deeply moving exploration of trauma and recovery.

There are a lot of books that are set in the First World War, and also a lot sent in the Second World War. The Vietnam war is still much ignored by Australia. The same is true of the kinds of wounds people brought back from the wars: a lot is said about those that died, and those that returned home physically injured. Not a lot is said about the mental scars that nearly all veterans come home with.

This is not a comfortable read, but it scores high praise by those that have read it.

Quote of the Week

Not all those who wander are lost.

- J.R.R. Tolkien (Lord of the Rings)

How does Google work?

Ever wondered what actually happens behind the scenes when you hit 'search' in Google?

It is worth understanding how search engines work. Occasionally that knowledge will change the way you use the search so you can get better results. Here is a quick video from Google explaining what happens:

Quote of the week

I can't go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.

- Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

In the Cinema: Allegiant (part 1)

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

The powerful conclusion to the Divergent series. The book is being made into two movies - so if you don't want to wait for the conclusion, read the book!

The faction-based society that Tris Prior once believed in is shattered - fractured by violence and power struggles and scarred by loss and betrayal. So when offered a chance to explore the world past the limits she's known, Tris is ready. Perhaps beyond the fence, she and Tobias will find a simple new life together, free from complicated lies, tangled loyalties, and painful memories.

But Tris's new reality is even more alarming than the one she left behind. Old discoveries are quickly rendered meaningless. Explosive new truths change the hearts of those she loves. And once again, Tris must battle to comprehend to complexities of human nature - and of herself - while facing impossible choices about courage, allegiance, sacrifice, and love.

[from Goodreads.com]

Quote of the week

You never know what worse luck your bad luck saved you from.

- No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

Out in the Cinema - The Jungle Book

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

This is the story of Mowgli, the man-cub raised by wolves in the jungles of India.

 

Rescued as an infant from the savage tiger Shere Khan, Mowgli is reared by a pack of wolves. His days are filled with excitement and danger as he learns the ways of the jungle from Bagheera the panther and the wise bear, Baloo. 

As the boy grows, he also learns he must take his place among his own kind—. But first, he must face Shere Khan in a battle of wits and strength to discover the true King of the Jungle…. Along with the story of Mowgli are other jungle tales—, including "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," "The White Seal," and "Toomai of the Elephants".

[blurb from Goodreads.com]

Quote of the week

Becoming fearless isn't the point. That's impossible. It's learning how to control your fear, and to be free from it.

- Four (from Divergent by Veronica Roth)

World Autism Awareness Day

What better way to learn more about how an Autistic person thinks than by reading a book from his/her point of view?

Perhaps it is time for a feel good story full of laughs, but not at the expense of the main character Don, who may or many not have Aspergers Syndrome (and therefore be on the Autism spectrum).

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simison

Don Tillman, a socially awkward, logical, professor of genetics. Becoming aware that, statistically, married men are happier and live longer, Don has decided to get married. He just needs to find the right woman. So he embarks on The Wife Project - an orderly, evidence-based search for the perfect mate. He will start by using questionnaires to weed out unsuitable candidates (those that smoke, that are illogical and habitually run late), before dating those that make the short list.

Enter Rosie: spontaneous, fiery, and not what Don is looking for. But she is also fun to be around, and she want his help. Perhaps love is not something that can be approached with logic?

'Sheldon Cooper with a big heart'

Mrs Kelleher rates this read 4 stars.